Current sectionJewish WorldOnce dismissed as a 'foolish custom' designed to enable people to shrug off their vows, Kol Nidrei became Judaism's most haunting momentShare to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeElon GiladSeptember 30, 2025The ark opens. Torah scrolls are lifted. The congregation rises. The cantor begins: Kol Nidrei.Loading...Click the alert icon to follow topics:Yom KippurJewish cultureJudaismJewish lawAntisemitismCommentsLoading...In the NewsIn the News: Israel-Iran Live UpdatesHamasIsrael ElectionsLebanonNoam BettanSettler ViolenceHaQuizHaaretz PodcastIsrael's Defense, Finance Ministries Spar Over Oct. 7 Terrorists Tribunal BudgetIsrael to Establish Defense Offices in Former UNRWA East Jerusalem CompoundIsrael and Hezbollah Trade Fire Across Border Despite Cease-fire ExtensionIsrael's Education Minister Sought to Bury Students' Poor English Test ScoresBill Banning Egalitarian Prayer at Western Wall Advances to Knesset CommitteeRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIThe Hasidic Jews Behind Florida's Giant Golden Trump StatueStarlink Users, Beware – Israeli Tech Can Reveal Your IdentityIt Wasn't Just Revenge That Israel Was After in GazaWelcome to the Most Shameful Day in the Jewish CalendarIsraeli Teens Storm Muslim Quarter in Old City, Haaretz Reporter AttackedIsrael Attacks New York Times for Report on Sexual Violence by Israeli Forces